Brendan Taylor’s return to Zimbabwe’s Test side is a compelling story of redemption, resilience, and renewed purpose. His three-and-a-half-year ban—imposed in January 2022 after delayed reporting of a spot‑fixing approach and a positive test for a cocaine metabolite—officially ended on 25 July 2025 .
On 30 July, Zimbabwe Cricket announced his selection in the 16‑member squad for the second Test against New Zealand, scheduled for 7–11 August 2025 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo . ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni described Taylor’s comeback as a journey marked by sincere remorse and an unwavering determination to make amends.
Taylor, now 39, trained rigorously during his ban—despite being barred from official facilities—by using private nets in Harare and focusing heavily on fitness, technical skills, diet, and sobriety. He says he feels “leaner, fitter and mentally stronger” than ever before. He described his emotional return: “I certainly did think it was all done, but here I am… it’s an overwhelming feeling of gratitude.
Before his suspension, Taylor had been in strong form with Test scores of 92, 81 and 49 in his last three innings, demonstrating he still had much to contribute. Over his international career, he amassed nearly 9,938 runs across formats, making him Zimbabwe’s third-highest run‑scorer, with 17 international centuries—a national record.
Taylor has made clear that he’s not returning to chase personal glory but to serve Zimbabwe cricket—particularly with a view to the 2027 ODI World Cup, which Zimbabwe will co-host. With his ban lifting and selection confirmed, he now hopes to help guide a rebuilding team while bringing experience, maturity, and leadership to the fore.
